4. Suzuki Swift Sport (2005-2012)

The Swift Sport handles like a go-ka… oh right, we’ve already used that one. Well, you get the point. Suzuki’s sweet-steering supermini gives away more than 50hp to the Clio, but it’s still a riot on the right road.

A willing engine, playful chassis and back-to-basics interior hark back to the great hot hatches of the 1980s.

Suzuki regularly finishes near the top of the table in Which? reliability surveys, and fuel, insurance and servicing won’t break the bank.

The swiftest Swift really is more than the sum of its parts.

1Power

125hp

20-62mph

8.9 seconds

3Top speed

124mph

4Fuel economy

39.2mpg

5CO2 emissions

175g/km

6Annual car tax

£210

5. Mazda MX-5 (1997-2005)

You can’t create a list of affordable performance cars without including the MX-5. Mazda’s evergreen roadster borrowed the simple front-engine/rear-drive recipe of the original Lotus Elan and added a welcome dose of Japanese reliability.

The result, 27 years and four generations later, is the best-selling sports car of all time.

Good examples of the first (1989-1997) MX-5 are getting a bit pricey now, while the Mk3 (2005-2015) car got a soft and middle-aged.

So we’d go for the undervalued Mk2 – a great drive and a bona fide used bargain. Find one in the classifieds for less than £1,000.

The cheapest Boxsters are the early 204hp 2.5-litre cars, but we’d save up for the 253hp 3.2 S, launched in 1999.

Repairs can be expensive, so pay for a professional inspection before you buy. And be wary of VED: a Boxster S registered after 1 March 2001 will cost £295 a year to tax, versus £235 for a 1999/2000 car.

8. MINI Cooper S (2006-2013)

MINI isn’t just a car, it’s a marque in its own right. Among its ever-expanding range of models, the Cooper S hatchback is a high-point.

It’s fast enough to be fun, without excessive fuel or insurance bills; the way it goes around corners is wonderfully reminiscent of the original Mini (note lower case); and it’s bursting with iconic character – even car illiterates recognise a MINI.

We’ve chosen the Mk2 Cooper S, which realistically starts from around £3,000. Alternatively, you can find a Mk1 S (2000-2006) for half that much.

10. Bentley Continental GT (2003-2011)

But consider that Bentley’s 6.0-litre W12-engined grand tourer cost upwards of £110,000 when new, and suddenly £22,000 starts to look incredible value. Provided you can stomach the 16.5mpg thirst, of course.

The Conti GT is now into its second-generation, but the latest car looks almost identical – so your neighbours will think you’ve won the lottery.

Reliability is better than many similarly-powerful supercars, but don’t underestimate the running costs. At least you can let somebody else foot that five-figure depreciation bill...